General News
12 June, 2026
Familiar face retires from Saints
St Augustine’s Primary School’s Anne Mangan has retired following four decades as the first face people see in office.
Anne Mangan has decided to retire after almost four decades as the face of St Augustine’s Primary School.
She has been a familiar sight at the school for generations of locals both as a parent and staff member.
Ms Mangan’s hope is she left a good impression.
“Just someone who is willing to give their all,” she said.
First as parish secretary in 1979 and then the school’s administrative officer since 1987, Ms Mangan’s work has seen significant change.
Starting with a typewriter and gestetner, for duplicating documents, she has ended her career with all the modern tools we’ve grown to expect — including automatic stapling.
Instead of being overwhelmed by this change, Ms Mangan met it.
“It was a mountain to climb and I thought I could do this,” she said.
It’s a strength she attributes in part to her time performing on television as a young girl.
“I suppose that gave me confidence to tackle most things. Don’t let it put you off. You get in and you give it a go,” she said.
It’s meant whether the day was payroll and budgeting, speaking with parents, or putting bandaids on scraped knees — Ms Mangan took it all in stride.
Her efforts were recognised in 1998 when she was awarded the Victorian Education Union award in the category of Educational Support.
The speech given as the award was presented highlighted Ms Mangan’s “absolute professionalism” no matter the situation.
“The application paid testament to Anne’s range of skills and also to her personality,” they said.
“Her ability to look after children who may be disadvantaged, her interaction with staff, her toughness when needed.
“Anne’s work exemplified the complex role that school officers play.”
The reason Ms Mangan stuck around, however, was how the job suited her.
“I think I just enjoyed the challenges and the satisfaction,” she said.
It also allowed her to continue pursuing her life-long love of travel outside of work, leading tours to India and Africa.
“I had the ability to then experience other things,” she said.
Ms Mangan is now preparing for new adventures in retirement, possibly travel, but also spending time with her siblings, two grown children, and four grandsons.
“I was always juggling my days in the end,” she said.
“I think it was time to give someone else a chance ... the school is in really good hands.”